December arrests part of drug ring, cops say

Matthew PleasantStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:10 p.m.

HOUMA — A two-year investigation into methamphetamine sales ended this month with a sweep of arrests, including a Magnolia Street body shop owner who authorities said used his building for drug distribution.

The probe has netted about 40 suspects so far, including high- and low-ranking dealers working in an organized drug ring, said Maj. Darryl Stewart, head of the Terrebonne Parish Narcotics Task Force.

“We’ve knocked off several layers of it,” he said. “There’s still work we have to do.”

Undercover officers targeted suspects by buying drugs from them, Stewart said. The work began with arrests of suspected drug dealers selling small amounts and led to charges against mid-level dealers with larger quantities.

In this particular ring, those found with an ounce or more of methamphetamine and other drugs indicated they ranked high among the hierarchy of dealers, he said. Officers watched some lose and regain their status.

The system shows the organized nature of the activity, Stewart said.

“It’s an organization where everyone knows their place,” he said. “You’re answerable to someone else. And you’re going to deal out the quantity they feel comfortable dealing out.”

Officers waited to make arrests to build a case against the suspects, he said. In some instances, officers began with phone tips and collected information as they arrested suspects.

The arrests are a sign of methamphetamine’s increased presence in Terrebonne Parish, Stewart said. During the investigation, officers found five small labs where drugs were cooked.

The chemicals used are toxic and explosive.

“Cocaine gets a lot of attention, marijuana is always spoken about. But meth is a concern, not only in distribution and the violence attached to it, but also with the health factors with how it is made,” Stewart said.

According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine has replaced crack cocaine as the top drug threat in some areas of Louisiana because of its cheap price and long-lasting effects. The agency reports most labs in Louisiana are small and much of the large quantities are developed in Mexico then brought into the state.

The officers have made nine arrests of suspects connected to the investigation this month.

Gene Chauvin, 55, of Houma was charged Monday afternoon. Officers arrested him as he left his body shop, SXR, at 300 Magnolia St., Stewart said.

They allegedly found a half ounce of cocaine in his car and a 9 mm handgun in the shop where he refurbished cars. He lived in an RV-type car on the property, Stewart said.

Investigators had long suspected him of taking part in the ring but had too little evidence for an arrest or search warrant, Stewart said. Information gathered in other arrests this month enabled them to obtain both Monday.

Chauvin was charged with possessing with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.

<p>HOUMA — A two-year investigation into methamphetamine sales ended this month with a sweep of arrests, including a Magnolia Street body shop owner who authorities said used his building for drug distribution.</p><p>The probe has netted about 40 suspects so far, including high- and low-ranking dealers working in an organized drug ring, said Maj. Darryl Stewart, head of the Terrebonne Parish Narcotics Task Force.</p><p>“We've knocked off several layers of it,” he said. “There's still work we have to do.”</p><p>Undercover officers targeted suspects by buying drugs from them, Stewart said. The work began with arrests of suspected drug dealers selling small amounts and led to charges against mid-level dealers with larger quantities.</p><p>In this particular ring, those found with an ounce or more of methamphetamine and other drugs indicated they ranked high among the hierarchy of dealers, he said. Officers watched some lose and regain their status.</p><p>The system shows the organized nature of the activity, Stewart said.</p><p>“It's an organization where everyone knows their place,” he said. “You're answerable to someone else. And you're going to deal out the quantity they feel comfortable dealing out.”</p><p>Officers waited to make arrests to build a case against the suspects, he said. In some instances, officers began with phone tips and collected information as they arrested suspects.</p><p>The arrests are a sign of methamphetamine's increased presence in Terrebonne Parish, Stewart said. During the investigation, officers found five small labs where drugs were cooked.</p><p>The chemicals used are toxic and explosive.</p><p>“Cocaine gets a lot of attention, marijuana is always spoken about. But meth is a concern, not only in distribution and the violence attached to it, but also with the health factors with how it is made,” Stewart said.</p><p>According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine has replaced crack cocaine as the top drug threat in some areas of Louisiana because of its cheap price and long-lasting effects. The agency reports most labs in Louisiana are small and much of the large quantities are developed in Mexico then brought into the state.</p><p>The officers have made nine arrests of suspects connected to the investigation this month.</p><p>Gene Chauvin, 55, of Houma was charged Monday afternoon. Officers arrested him as he left his body shop, SXR, at 300 Magnolia St., Stewart said.</p><p>They allegedly found a half ounce of cocaine in his car and a 9 mm handgun in the shop where he refurbished cars. He lived in an RV-type car on the property, Stewart said.</p><p>Investigators had long suspected him of taking part in the ring but had too little evidence for an arrest or search warrant, Stewart said. Information gathered in other arrests this month enabled them to obtain both Monday.</p><p>Chauvin was charged with possessing with intent to distribute a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>Four others are still wanted for their alleged involvement.</p><p>Jamie Plaisance, 41, 135 Mathilde Lane, Gray; Tamila Jenkins, 43, 3621 Eucild St., Houma; Karl Fortet, 33, 8838 Main St., Houma; and Tommy Pitre, 41, 405 Westside Blvd., Houma, are wanted on charges of distributing a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>Other arrests include:</p><p>n Marlene Rouse, 38, 3922 Civic St., Metairie, possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia and an outstanding charge of possessing a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>n Van Galjour, 56, 287 E. 39th St., Cut Off, intent to distribute schedule I and II controlled dangerous substance, possessing drug money and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>n Markus Chapman, 55, 5 Highland Drive, Nassau, intent to distribute schedule II controlled dangerous substance and possession drug money. Officers are unsure why Chapman was in the Louisiana from the Bahamas.</p><p>n Christopher Diano, 41, 160 Meandering Way, Houma, intent to distribute schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession drug paraphernalia, use of a firearm while in possession of drugs, felony carrying illegal weapon and obstruction of justice.</p><p>n Mark Whitney, 41, 103 S. Eagle Drive, Houma, two counts distributing a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>n Selina Langford, 38, 219 Eureka Drive, Gray, possessing schedule II controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>n Thomas Posey, 41, 126 Holiday Drive, Houma, two counts distributing a schedule II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>n Kenneth Porche, 53, 2617 Bayou Blue Road, Houma, three counts possessing schedule II controlled dangerous substance, intent to distribute schedule I and II controlled dangerous substance.</p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Pleasant </p><p>can be reached at 857-2202 or </p><p>matthew.pleasant@houmatoday.com.</p>